It was in Mark 3: 13-15 when the disciples were first called together. He said to them “ I have chosen you to be with me…I will also send you out to preach, and you will have the authority to drive out demons.” This shows that Jesus trusted that the 12 were able and ready to preach the word of God. Twelve disciples were chosen, this could have been to represent the 12 Jewish leaders, which went on to become founders of Jewish tribes.
There are many costs and rewards of discipleship; the main cost is made clear in
Mark 8: 34, “forget self, carry his cross and come with me.” This showed what qualities Jesus actually wanted out of the disciples; these included commitment, co-operation, courage, and not to discriminate against anyone. Commitment and courage is shown throughout the disciple’s life, a good example of this commitment is shown in Mark 16:15-20 ‘Go throughout the whole world and peach the gospel to the whole human race…the disciples went and preached everywhere.” This doesn’t just show the commitment the 11 disciples had for Jesus even after his crucifixion, but also the commitment the 11 had for the task of spreading the word of God. This quote also tells us about not discriminating against any one, ‘peach the gospel to the whole human race’
Co-operation was shown in Mark 6:7-12 “ He called the twelve disciples together and sent them out two by two…and ordered them, ‘Don’t take any thing with you on your journey except a stick – no bread, no beggar’s bag, no money in your pocket. Wear sandals, but don’t carry an extra shirt. He also said, ‘whenever you are welcomed, stay in the same house until you leave that place’…” This story shows that not only did the disciples have to work co-operatively amongst each other but also amongst the town people where God’s message was to be spread. This story tests the faith and courage of the disciples not only in Jesus but also the people around.
The last quality that the disciples had to show was not to discriminate against any one, Jesus had came to save us all. Jesus would help anyone that had faith, and he wanted the disciples to do the same. A good example of Jesus healing someone with faith is that of blind Bartimaeus, Mark 10: 47-52 ‘When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus Son of David! Take pity on me!” Many of the people scolded him and told him to be quiet. But he shouted even more loudly, “Son of David! Take pity on me!”…He threw off his cloak, jumped up and came to Jesus. “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him “Teacher,” the blind man answered “I want to see again.” “Go,” Jesus told him, “your faith has made you well.” At once he was able to see and he followed Jesus on the road.’ Where as the society reject Bartimaeus, as can be seen when ‘ many people scolded him’ Jesus did not discriminate against him and healed him, because Bartimaeus had faith.
With the cost of discipleship came the rewards, safety, loyalty and generosity of the spirits. All these qualities would add up to a community that everyone would be safe and not discriminated against. The one big reward eternal life in heaven, but to get this you would have to take up the challenge. Mark 10:17-22 shows a man who could not take up the challenge, ‘As Jesus started on his was again, a man ran up, knelt before him, and asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to receive eternal life?”…“You know the commandments”…“ Teacher,” the man said, “ever since I was young, I have obeyed all these commandments.” Jesus looked straight at him with love and said, “You need only one thing. Go sell all you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have the riches in heaven; then come and follow me.” When the man heard this, gloom spread over his face, and he went away sad because he was very rich.’
Someone who could take up this challenge though can be found in Mark 12: 41-44 ‘As Jesus sat near the temple treasury, he watched the people as they dropped in their money. Many rich men dropped in a lot of money; then a poor widow came along and dropped in two little copper coins, worth about a penny. He called his disciples together and said to them “I tell you that this poor widow put more in the offering box than the other. For the other put in what they had to spare; but she, poor as she is, put in all she had-she gave all she had to live on.”’
Dean Boyd
